Microsoft(LOS ANGELES) -- Microsoft’s XBox is jumping into this year’s big gaming shift, using touch screen devices to interact with and control media through your game console and then display content on your TV, Windows 8 PC or portable device. The announcement was made Monday in advance of E3, the giant Electronic Entertainment Expo.

But don’t expect to pick up an Xbox-branded tablet controller for the experience…yet. The new functionality, dubbed “XBox SmartGlass,” is being touted as an app for existing smartphones and tablets. This is in sharp contrast to Nintendo’s move forward this week, reintroducing its new gamepad controller, which will feature a touch screen display right in the center of the device.

XBox also plans to use the app to foray into Web browsing on your television, hoping that touch screens can make for a smooth and enjoyable navigation experience.

Many were hoping to see the announcement of an XBox 360 successor at E3 this year, but as the machine is currently the No. 1-selling console worldwide, Microsoft seems in no hurry to usher in a 720. Instead we’ve seen tweaks to Microsoft’s Kinect motion-sensing system, as well as user interface and now apps, improving and adding to the existing experience. No word on when the apps will begin to roll out just yet.